What is the Best Caulking to Use between a Tile Backsplash and a Granite Countertop?

QUESTION

Would you please advise what is the best caulking to use between tile backsplash and granite counter?

ANSWER

ANSWER - You should use an ASTM C920 silicone sealant suitable for granite.

Laticrete has a product called Latasil that comes in many colors.

Dow Corning has a product called 795 or 790 that comes in a variety of colors and they say it is suitable for most stones.  Make sure that the sealant is compatible with your stone.  Some sealants can stain some stones.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions that require cleaning the joint out, using a primer, and putting in polyethylene foam backer rod or tape so that you have at least a 1/4" thick sealant depth.

With silicone sealants you need to use blue masking tape along the edges and immediately after the sealant has been applied and tooled, you need to carefully pull the tape.  This will give you a nice straight and clean joint.

 

8 thoughts on “What is the Best Caulking to Use between a Tile Backsplash and a Granite Countertop?

    • Donato Pompo says:

      You should use an ASTM C920 sealant caulking that is recommended for and compatible with the Quartz counter top. Normally that is a 100% silicone sealant or a polyurethane sealant. Per the sealant manufacturer’s directions, first install a 1/4″ diameter foam backer rod so you can gauge the thickness of the sealant and make sure it doesn’t flow below.

  1. Leni Nazare says:

    I would love to know what you experts advise!

    About a month ago we had a new ceramic tile backsplash (above the cooktop in kitchen) installed. Here’s the tile https://gvgstone.com/products/gt-kleinfield-collection-casa-cheri-2-x-10-subway-tile-5-05-ft-per-box.

    The grout lines are 1/16 inch and the product he used is non-sanded, Polyblend Plus (natural gray). https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/products/polyblendplus-non-sanded-grout-2 .

    Q1: What product would you recommend to caulk the junction between the quartz countertop and the ceramic tile backsplash??? And should it be clear? Or should I try to match the color of the grout?

    I understand I need to apply the caulk BEFORE I seal the grout in the backsplash.

    Q2: To seal the grout in the backsplash, I thought I might use a water based sealer, for example, Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Sealer. Do you think this is an appropriate product for my particular situation?

    Thank you!!!

    • Donato Pompo says:

      Clear sealants (caulking) normally reflect kind of a gray look as it is reflecting to some degree what is under it. I would go with a sealant that correlates with your grout color. You should use an ASTM C920 sealant that is normally a 100% silicone or a polyurethane sealant. Custom Building Products sells one called Commercial 100% Silicone sealant that comes in the same colors as their grouts.

      Backsplashes normally are not subjected to a lot of products that could stain the grout, although it is a good idea to seal the grout. You want to use one recommended for that application and one that you can spread over the entire tile surface. It is important that the right after the application of the sealer that you use a clean dry lint free towel to wipe off the excess sealer or it can get sticky. I’m not familiar with Black Diamond sealer. For a list of companies with inks to their websites who offer sealers go to: https://ctasc.com/category/resources/cleaners-sealers/

  2. Michael Shinn says:

    Should I not grout the bottom joint on the back splash that meets the granite countertop as so the space of oh say 3/16” leaves a nice space for caulk to grip?

    • Donato Pompo says:

      All transition of plane conditions should have a resilient sealant (caulking) installed at it. Those transitions normally will have a differential of movement and a rigid cementitious grout will tend to crack. TCNA Handbook EJ171 Movement joints state that those transitions should have an ASTM C920 sealant installed in those joints over a foam backer rod or over bond breaking tape. Most sealant companies want that joint to be at least 1/8″ wide in order for the sealant to fit in. Follow the sealant manufacturer’s directions.

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